Method and mechanism for controlling the feeding of webs



Sept. 8, 19.31. K. cs. LAYCOCK METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE FEEDING OF WEBS File d Feb. 17, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q asi p 8, 1931- K G. LAYciocK 1,822,495

METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE FEEDING OF WEBS Filed Feb. 17, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept 8, 1931. K. G LAYCOCK METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE FEEDING 0F WEBS File i Feb.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE KENNETH G. LAYCOCK, OF SHAVERTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO GOSS PRINT- ING- PRESS COMPANY, OF.GHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE FEEDING OF WEBS Application filed February 17, 1928. Serial No. 255,021.

The invention relates to a novel and useful method and mechanism for controlling the feeding off or unwinding of a web from a roll and governing same to meet the varying needs and conditions of a rotary printing press, or other web-using machine; and the invention relates more particularly to such a method, and to automatic mechanism for carrying out the same, wherein the control of the unwinding speed of the web is governed both by the tension of the web running into the web-using machine, and by the changes in the diameter of the web-supply roll.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter, and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practicing the inventi0n;the'se objects and advantages being realized and attained through the methods, means and instrumentalities pointed out in the appended claims. I

The invention consists in the novel steps, methods, parts, combinations, constructions and arrangements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof illustrate one manner of practicing the method of my invention, and a present preferred form of mechanism forcarrying out the invention, said drawings together with a description constituting an embodiment of the invention,

and serving to set forth the principles thereof irrespective of changes in the particular embodiment.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mechanism embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 shows the same mechanism with the mechanism in different position, and with the web supply roll approaching exhaustion;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, with the central parts broken away, looking at Fig. 1 from parts in section, of the automatic control for vention has also wide applicability and usefulness apart from the device of my previous invention.

The present invention is directed primarily to providing a more complete and a more thoroughly responsive and sensitive regulation and control of the unwinding of the web from a supply roll including devices respon si've to diametral dimensional changes in the web roll, and automatically compensating for same in the braking action, to maintain the correct tension in the web, irrespective of the changing action on the tension due to the changing ratio of leverage between the outside of the roll and the brake, resulting from the diminution of the web roll. in view, the invention comprises co-operating, automatically-acting devices, which are governed cooperatively by both the variation in the tension of the web being unwound and fed into the web-using machine, and by the continuous diametral diminution of the websupply roll. One purpose of the invention is to eliminate, to the greatest practicable degree as disturbing factors the variations, and especially increases, in the web tension by With this reason of the diminution in the diameter of the web roll, with the consequent or resultant differences in the effect of the braking mechanism and its governing devices, which are controlled automatically by the variations in the web tension. As the roll decreases in diameter, its angular speed increases and the peripheral speed of the brake with it, and it is necessary to compensatingly modify the braking action.

The method of my invention comprises controlling the retardant action exerted on the roll from which the web is being unwound in accordance with the varying diametral dimension of the roll and its consequent varying effect on the tension of the web; and the method comprises further controlling said re tardant action concurrently, and preferably conjointly, according to the variations in the tension of the unwinding web and the changes in tension due to diametral dimensional changes therein. By exercising on the unwinding roll conjoint retardant control from variations in the tension of the web and from the diametral diminution of the roll, the retardant effect exerted on the roll is the resultant or algebraic sum of the variations, and the inertia of the roll is thus controlled in harmony with any variations from normal of the tension of the web due to the possibly varying speed of withdrawal of the web. The invention has wide application in various kinds and constructions of web tension controlling mechanisn'is, where the before mentioned disturbing factors are present, to gether with other such factors as well.

The invention is applied to a mechanism comprising a support upon which the web supply roll supporting shaft -is rotatively mounted, and cooperating with that shaft is a braking mechanism. which mechanism usually has a hand adjustment and also an automatiCally-operating governing device. Said governing device usually comprises a roller or equivalent member which bears upon the running web, and is connected to the braking mechanism, so that the movements of the web-engaging roller may govern the braking action so as to keep the web tension as nearly constant as may be, and consequently the web speed as nearly as possible in conformity with the demands of the web-using machine and also eliminating the inertia of the web-supply roll as a disturbing factor in so far as this is possible.

The embodied form of means whereby I further govern the web tension to compensate for the continuous diametral decrease of the web roll comprises detector arms, or equivalent devices, engaging with the periphery of the web-supply roll, and moving as the diametral dimension of the roll diminishes, that is, with a movement proportionate to such diminishment, these detectors having connections either directly to the braking mechanism, or to the web-tension control for the brake mechanism, to interject a compensating factor into the tension control proportionate to the diametral diminishment of the Web.

As embodied further, the movement of the detector arm or arms, as it or they move with the diminishment of the web, a t through suitable connections to vary the action of the web engaging tension roller on the brake mechanisnnthese connections from the detector arm having a sort of interponent or modifying action between the web roller and the brake mechanism, which modifying action varies with the size of the web roll.

The foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionas well are explanatory and exemplary of the invention, but are not to be considered as unnecessarily restrictive thereof. I

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. a web supply roll 1 is shown fixed on a shaft 2, rotatively mountedin bearings upon the horizontally-extending parts 3 and 4 of the corresponding side frames 5 and 6 of a printing press or other web-using machine. lln the embodied form of brake mechanism there is fixed on one end of the shaft 2 a brake pulley 13. having a V-shaped peripheral groove, in which work correspondinglyshaped, arcuate bralre shoes 14 and 15. These brake shoes are pivoted respectively to brake levers 16 and 17, these levers at their rear ends 18 and 19 being pivoted to two links 20 and 21, which links are pivoted together at 22. To the forward end of brake lever 17 is pivoted an internally screw-threaded cylindrical member 25, into which is threaded a screw-threaded rod 26. the other end of said screw-threaded rod being threaded into a like cylindrical member 27, which is pivotally and detachably connected at 28 to a part of the mechanism for controlling the brake action by means of the tension of the web. as will be later described. Fixed medianly to the screw-threaded rod 26 is a hand wheel 280, having a toothed periphery, with which coacts a spring detent 29 mounted on the cylindrical member 25. This constitutes a primary hand adjustment for the brake shoes 14 and 15 upon the brake pulley 13.

The illustrated embodiment of the webtension operated control for the illustrated brake mechanism, as a matter of convenience, is in its main features the same or similar to that shown in my said copending application Ser. No. 154,249, although the present invention is widely applicable to other forms of web tension operated brake controls. Said illustrated mechanism comprises a webengaging roller 37, with its pintles journalled in two slidable journal boxes 38 and 39. which boxes are vertically slidable. respectively. in vertically-disposed guide ways 40 and 41, formed in corresponding upright members 42 at either side of the machine frame, and which are mounted on extensions 43 of the frame members 5 and G. The slidable journal boxes at either end of the roller 37 are supported, respectively. upon helical compression springs 44 and 45. seated in the bottom of the corresponding \guide ways. The web 1 from the supply roll runs first around a guide roller 49, journalled in standards 50, mounted on the frame bed, thence over the spring-supported, web-controlled tension roller 37, and thence about a. -guide roller 52. Thus the springs 44 and 45 impel the roller 37 upwardly against the running web, and the roller moves with the springs on any slacking of the tension and moves against the spring on any increase in the tension.

The roller 37, or equivalent device, as embodied is variably responsive longitudinally to variations in tension across the web, as well as to any variations in tension. in the web on the whole, as explained in my said prior copending application, but the present invention is broadly independent of this feature of the web-engaging roller. In said embodied device, there are connections from either end of the tension roller 37 to the brake control mechanism, comprising upwardly-extending arms and 56, fixed to the outer sides of the journal boxes of the rollers 37. Pivoted at 57 and 58 to the upper ends of the arms are links 59 and 60, the other ends of these links being pivoted, respectively, to the outer ends of arms 63 and 64. To provide for the previously-mentioned tension variations across the web, arm- 64 is fixed on a shaft 65, journalled at 66 and 67 in the side frames of the machine, and extending outwardly from the side frame 5. Fixed to the opposite outer end of the shaft is an arm 68, these arms being variably angularly positionable upon the shaft, as by clamping screws 69. The cylindrical lower end of the arm 68 pro jects through an aperture in one end of a plate 7 0, the plate being held in position by a linch-pin 71.

The other arm 63 is mounted loosely upon the shaft 65, and is held in longitudinal position along the shaft by collars 72 and 73,

. said copending application, Ser. No. 154,249,

although so far as concerns the broader aspects thereof, my invention is applicable to many other kinds of tension controls as well.

By my present invention means are provided, which, in accordance with certain features .of the invention, preferably operate automatically and mechanically in conjunction with the web tension brake control, said means being governed by the diametral diminution of the web-supply roll to modify the action of the web-tension control on the brake mechanism. In the present embodiment this means and the automatic web ten sion control device have common connections to the brake mechanism, although in certain aspects of the invention this is not essential;

In the embodied form of said means shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a shaft 91 is journalled in brackets 92 and 93, fixed to the previouslymentioned brackets 13: Fixed to move angularly with the shaft 91 are detector fingers 95 and 96, the number of which may be varied as desired, but usually two will be found preferable, these fingers being positionable longitudinally of the shaft 91 to provide for the use of full length web-supply rolls, or shorter rolls providing narrower widths of web for the press or other web-using machine. The modifying or corrective action from the movement of the detectors 95, in this embodiment,'is effected through varying the position of lever 103, which is a connection also between the wcb tension detect-or roller 37 and the Web roll brake. Fixed to one end of shaft 91' is an arm 99, pivoted at its outer end 100 to a link 101, which is pivoted at its other end 102 to a rod 103. The upper end of rod 103 projects through a central aperture in the plate 70, and is held in position by suitable means such as a linch pin 104.

Pivoted to the rod 103, near the upper end thereof at 107, is a rod 108, the other end'of the rod 108passing through an aperture in the upper end of an arm 109. Fixed to the arm 109 is a plate 110, which is widened at its lower end to provide spaced-apart pivot points (one being the pivot point 28) to effect the desired movement of the brake levers. At the other pivot point 111 on plate 110, the front end of the brake lever 16 is pivoted, and at the separated point 28 on plate 110 the cylindrical member 27 (previously described) is pivoted. Thus by the to and fro swinging movement of the arm 109 and plate 110, the action of the brake shoes 1 1 and 15 upon the brake pulley 13 may be varied from moment to moment, to meet the varying conditions in the speed of the web, the tension of web and the inertia of the supply roll, with a continuously exerted modifying action due to the diametral diminution and changing leverage of the web supply roll.

The variation of the action of the brake mechanism on the roll, in so far as it is con-- trolled by the web roll engaging fingers 95 and 96 is concerned, is dependent upon the angular position and movement of the arm 99 and rod 103, and this will be found sufii cient and adequate in many cases and under various conditions. Of course, the angular relation of the crank arm 99 may be ch'anged, and the length of the connecting link 101 also, to alter the relative movement of these parts with respect to the detector fingers 95, in any manner desired.

Means are provided by the invention, however, to effect astill differentratio variation between the web roll diametral diminish- 4 ment and the variation or modification of the brake action. This is effected by introducing a corrective device between the roll engaging fingers, or equivalent device, and

the brake. whereby the proper relation may he maintained between the diminution of the roll and the brake so as to keep the proper tension in the web. [1 Cam may be designed to meet these conditions, and accordingly such a device is employed. One form of $110.11 a mechanism is shown in Fig. 4. lt n the embodiment shown in this figure, a cam 117 is fixed on one end of the shaft 91, and a cam roller 118 is journaled on the end of a lever 119 and cooperates with the cam 117. Lever 119 is pivoted at 120 on the machine :t'rame. Pivoted to the lever 119 is a link 121, the other end of which is pivoted at 122 to the bottom end of the-rod 103. It will be understood that by shaping the cam 117 as desired, a relation varying in any desired degree, both as to extent and time, from the symmetrical or predetermined variation of the crank and lever movement of Figs. 1 to 3 may be obtained. It will be noted that the cam track of cam 117 in Fig. 4 is exemplarily shaped to give avariant movement in different parts of the angular path of movement of the detector finger or fingers 95.

It will be clear that the mechanism controlled by the diametral diminution ofthe web roll may be connected directly to the.

brake mechanism, if desired, instead of through the connectionsfrom the web tensioncontrolled mechanism, and that both could still act concurrently on the brake mechanism.

The manner of operation of the mecha* nism described will be understood from the foregoing description, but may be summarized as follows:

The web 1 may be considered as running from the rotating supply roll into the press or other web-using machine, over the springsupported tension roller 37. The roller 37, floating on its springs, is sensitive to move with every variation in the web tension, and either end of this roll 37 is sensitive to move irrespective of the other end. The righthand end of the web-tension roll 37 in Fig. 3 through the arms 6-1 and ($8, and the connected parts, will move the left hand end of the plate 7 0, and the left-hand end from the roller 37 through the arms 63 and 75, loosely mounted onshaft 65 will move the right hand end of the plate in Fig. 3. Thus the resultant movement of the plate 70 conforms accurately to any movement of the roller 37 induced by changes in" tension in any part or in all of the web.

The detector fingers and 96, in Figs. 1

and 2, rock slowly to the left as thediameter of the rotating web-supply rolldiminishes, and the crank arm 99 is consequently moved in a counter clock-wise direction. Thus the lower end of the rod 103 moves to the left in Figs. 1 and 2, and gradually, and at a relative- 1y increasing rate, diminishes the amplitude of movement of the rod 108 with respect to the reaaaea ingly to i-et'luce the resistance at the brake,

and to keep the tension either uniform or in a predetermined desired relation.

In accordance with one feature of my invention. means are provided for slowing down or stopping the press drive when the web supply roll 1 is approaching exhaustion.

This feature of my invention may be used independently. or may be used in combination with the tension-regulating means already described. and in the present embodiment ll have disclosed this drive-controlling means in coml'iination with the automatic tension-controlling means already described. In Fig. 5, 1 have shown a cam 131, which is fixed onshaft'91. (lo-operating with cam 131 is a cam roller 130, journaled on a lever 132, pivotally mounted at 133 upon the press Frame. A spring 134 holds the lever to the cam. A suitable circuit-controlling mechanism, of any suitable or convenient form, is operated by lever 132, and such a mechanism is shown more or less diagrammatically in Fig. 5; As embodied a rod 135'is pivotally connected to the free end of lever '132, said rod being reciprocably mounted in a casing 130. Mounted onthe rod are two electricallyconnected contacts 137 and 138, and cooperating therewith are two corresponding contacts 139 and 140, which are in the circuit of any suitable electrical or other controlling device for the pressdrive, which device may act either to slow down or stop the drive. When the new web supply roll is put in position, the fingers 95, are moved to rock shaft 91 in clockwise direction, and therewith rotate the cam 131, so that spring 134: draws cam roller 130 and lever 132 to the right in Fig. 5, thus opening the gap between the contacts 139 and 140. The circuit remains open at this point as the web is run off until it is near the exhaustion point. )Just as it approaches the exhaustion point, due to the angular swing of the fingers 95 to the left in Fig. 5 cam roller 130 rides onto the high part of cam 131, and throws lever 132 to the left, thereby closing'the circuit between the terminals 139 and 1410, and either slowing down the press drive or stopping it altogether, dependent on the particular driving mechanism employed.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific-mechanisms shown and described but departures may be madetherefrom within the scope of theaccompanying claims without departing from the principles Elli , the unwinding roll and regulating same by tit the tension of the running web and modifying said regulating action on the running web by the gradual diametral diminution of the unwinding web roll.

2. The method of controlling the feed of a running web drawn from a roll which comprises applying a variable retardant force to the unwinding roll and regulating same by the tension of the running web and diminishing said regulating action of the tension of the web as the diameter of the web supply roll diminishes.

3. The method of controlling the feed of a running web drawn from a roll which com prises applying a variable retardant force to the unwinding roll and regulating same by the tension of the running web and diminishing said regulating action of the tension of the web proportionately to the diametral diminution of the web supply roll.

4. The method of controlling the feed of a running web drawn from a roll which comprises drawing the web from the roll, applying a variable retardant force to the roll, and controlling the effect of said retardant force on the roll conjointly by variations in the tension of the drawn-oif Web. and the diametral diminution of the roll, whereby the resultant of these variations are exerted asa retardant force on the roll.

5. A web feeding mechanism including in combination means for rotatively supporting a web supply roll, means for ,applying a braking action to said roll, means operated by variations in the tension of the running web for correspondingly regulating the braking action, and means controlled by the diametral diminution of the web supply roll for governing the action of said web tension operated means upon the braking means.

6. A web feeding mechanism including in combination means for rotatively supporting a web supply roll, means for applying a braking action to said roll, means operated by the variations in the tension of the running web for correspondingly regulating the brakmg actlon, and means controlled by the diam etral diminution of the web supply roll for correspondingly decreasing the action of said web tension operated means upon the braking means.

7. A web feeding mechanism including in combination means for rotatively supporting a web supply roll, means for applying a braking action to said roll, means operated by the variations in the tension of the running web for correspondingly regulating the braking action, and means engaging and movable to contact with the periphery of the web roll as the web roll decreases in diameter for governing the action of said web tension operated means as the web supply roll diminishes in diameter.

8. A web tension controlling mechanism including in combination means for supporting a web roll, braking means operating on the web roll, means governed by diametral dimensional changes in the web roll for controlling the braking means to compensate for changes in the diameter of the web roll with respect to the tension of the web and means for varying the braking action independent of the diametral changes in the web roll.

9. A web tension controlling mechanism including in combination means for sup porting a web roll, braking means operating on the web roll, and means engaging the periphcry of the web supply roll and governed by diametral dimensional changes in the web roll and by the tension of the web for controlling the braking means to compensate for changes in the diameter of the web roll withrespect to the tension of the web.

10. A web tension controlling mechanism including in combination means for rotatively supporting a web supply roll, means for applying braking action to the roll, and means responsive to changes in the tension of the web and means governed by diametral dimensional changes in the roll acting conjointly to govern the action of the braking means on the roll.

11. A web tension controlling mechanism including in combination means for rotatively supporting a web supply roll, means for applying braking action to the roll, and means responsive to changes in the tension of the web and means governed by diametral dimensional changes in the roll acting concurrently to govern the action of the braking means on the roll.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my, name to this specification.

KENNETH G. LAYCOCK. 

